Herd.fm is back and better than ever!

The application delivers best in-app music sharing, discovering and listening experience with API integration from top music services: Last.fm, Songkick, SoundCloud and YouTube!

Herd.fm promises to be the new standard for music sharing and discovery on mobile devices. As phones have become the heart of a person’s music collection, the ability to share songs with others has remained difficult. The new Herd.fm is customized for mobile devices and provides a user-friendly, streamlined experience that makes connecting people through meaningful songs and playlists simple and fun.

HERD.FM was conceived at the CFC Media Lab’s NBC Universal Multiplatform Matchmaking Program where co-founders Romeo Candido (2010), Davin Lengyel (2010) and James Milward (2010) challenged themselves to find a new way to share music.  Herd.fm welcomed David Nam as an executive team member and the vision of the product grew from being a geo-locative music discovery tool to a mobile service that solves the problem of sharing and discovering meaningful music in a fun, and easy way on the mobile platform.  Nam is the former VP of Product and Marketing at MXP4 and former Head of Marketing at Last.fm.

In 1983 Vincent John Vincent and Francis MacDougall decided they would embark on developing technology to allow body gestures to control computers in a number of ways.  As these advancements were largely ahead of their time, Vincent and MacDougall would find themselves waiting for a number of advances, in both societal beliefs and technology that would enable them to produce this new technology.

After some success in producing gesture-based technology, GestureTek licensed it’s patents to Microsoft; where it is part of the Kinect, and they have also licensed their technology to Sony and Hasbro.

GestureTek has recently sold it’s mobile and consumer department to Qualcomm hoping to focus more on the healthcare and educational areas of the business.

They were profiled in The Grid TO this past week, GestureTek’s full story can be read here: http://www.thegridto.com/culture/gaming/control-freaks/3/

Images from: http://www.gesturetek.com/

OCAD University and The Canadian Film Centre’s Media Lab announce their partnership in the launch of a new and innovative Graduate Program in Digital Futures, with a part-time Graduate Diploma and full-time (MA, MDes, and MFA) Master’s Degrees.

This unique, practice-based graduate program is aimed at future innovators, leaders, and creators of digital media and new technologies. The program is situated within the Digital Futures Initiative (DFI) at OCAD University, a set of cross-disciplinary programs in practice-based research and innovation in digital media and emergent technologies.

The program has a key partnership with CFC Media Lab, the acclaimed think tank and production environment at the forefront of incubating and accelerating Canadian digital media companies.

“Students in the Graduate Program in Digital Futures will contribute to creative innovation and the application of new knowledge in digital technologies, practices, content, systems, and experiences, providing insight into sustainable development in a technologically mediated world.”
Martha Ladly, Associate Professor, Digital Futures Graduate Program

“Together, OCADU and CFC Media Lab have created one of Canada’s best digital media programs, with highly experienced faculty, inter-disciplinary teams, diversified industry and cultural partnerships, as well as key cross-sectoral expertise.”
Ana Serrano, Director, CFC Media Lab

We would like to invite you all to our information session on Thursday May 5, 2010, 6:00-7:30 pm. This session will be held at the CFC Media Lab in MaRS Discovery District (101 College Street, Suite 245).  Faculty and staff members of the CFC Media Lab and OCADU as well as graduate alumni will be in attendance to talk about the graduate program and answer any questions you may have.

Please RSVP to amallozzi@cfccreates.com if you wish to attend.

Apply now for September 2011 admission! http://www.ocad.ca/programs/graduate_studies/digital_futures/how_to_apply

For Further information please go to: http://www.ocad.ca/programs/graduate_studies/digital_futures/

Hi all,

It’s been a while since I last posted on <stabletalk>. There are, in fact, lots to report; big changes are planned for CFC Media Lab in the next year or so and in terms of productions our dance-card is pretty much full until mid-November. But, today’s post will not elucidate further on these matters. Today’s post is all about new additions to <stabletalk>.

First, I’d like to thank Kimberly Dean for shepherding this blog during her tenure with us at CFC Media Lab. She has come to represent the “voice” of <stabletalk> for many of you and will be missed. Right now, though, she is likely in 30 degree weather in deep Ecuador sizing up the land where she hopes to install a wellness centre. (Some people design their careers properly right from the start!)

But I’m happy to say that Andrea Mallozzi has agreed to be our new IAEP Coordinator and will be one of the new voices on <stabletalk>. Andrea has been with us for the past year as our stellar IAEP Teaching Assistant so she is no stranger to the Media Lab. She will be your go to person for official news, alumni updates and industry events.

Second, next week we will be welcoming <stabletalk>’s first Guest Editor, Trevor Haldenby. Before I introduce Trevor, let me explain what the Guest Editor position means:

• An appointed, rolling position whose term is four months long (Thus, we shall have 3 Guest Editors a year.)
• The appointments will come from CFC Media Lab alumni or faculty from all of our programs
• They will post once a week on any topic of their choosing related to “new media” (sorry to use this antiquated term, old habit)
• Their posts will not reflect any official position by the CFC Media Lab or the CFC and is made up entirely of the Guest Editor’s own research, ideas and opinions
• Platforms for the Guest Editor’s voice include <stabletalk>, and other CFC Media Lab social channels such as Facebook and Twitter

And now it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Trevor Haldenby — photographer, thinker, writer, graduate student, social media analyst, emerging foresighter (sp?), and most importantly, a good guy who gives a really, really good read.

I hope you enjoy his posts in the next coming months, and I urge you all to concur, challenge, discuss, and argue with him as much as you can.

All the best,

Ana

CFC Media Lab would like to send a very big THANK YOU to everyone who purchased some WagJag “Cheer” during this holiday season. With your help, we raised $361 for Make a Wish Foundation and the CFC Media Lab Scholarship Fund!

Check out the original post here: stabletalk.cfccreates.com/?p=3963

Thank you for your support!
…and yes, that was indeed Fred Penner.

Really… Was there ever any doubt? CONGRATS TEAM!
(Check out our original post here: stabletalk.cfccreates.com/2010/11/26/out-my-window-nominated-for-idfa-doc-lab-award)

More deets on the Highrise blog: highrise.nfb.ca/2010/11/omw-wins-idfa-doclab-award

Congrats to NFB/Interactive and Gerry Flahive, Kat Cizek, Branden Batuhin, Heather Frise, and the hundreds of photographers and researchers that made HIGHRISE: Out My Window happen! You deserve this nod!

IDFA presents a new documentary award: the IDFA DocLab Award for Digital Storytelling. The prize (Canon 5D Mark II camera, made available by Canon) is awarded to the DocLab project that uses digital technology in the most creative and effective way to tell a documentary story.

The award winner will be determined by an international jury consisting of Alexandre Brachet (Gaza-Sderot.com, Prison Valley 2009), Antoinette Hoes (Leylines) and Zach Wise (The New York Times).

Check out DocLab: the official new media program of IDFA, showcasing new forms of documentary storytelling, digital technology and media art.

The judging happens today! Best of luck, team!

HUGE congratulations to Alex Jansen (Pop Sandbox) and his fabulous team for making Quill & Quire‘s Book of the Year List 2010 with their graphic novel KENK: A Graphic Portrait. (Check out the other top dogs who made the list.)

KENK: A Graphic Portrait is a ground-breaking 304-page journalistic comic book detailing the life and times of Igor Kenk, “the world’s most prolific bicycle thief” (The New York Times and The Guardian). In summer 2008, Kenk was arrested and nearly 3,000 bicycles were seized in one of the biggest news stories of the year. Built from more than 30 hours of never-before-seen intimate footage taken over the year leading right up to his arrest, KENK is a thought-provoking and surprisingly funny portrait of an outsize neighbourhood figure and a city in flux.

DIVE INTO KENK HERE.

UPDATE! KENK’s on a roll! Check out Quill & Quire’s Covers of the Year 2010 List: www.quillandquire.com/blog/index.php/2010/11/25/books-of-the-year-2010-covers-of-the-year/5/

Yonge Street Media Feature:

Our fearless leader, Ana Serrano, talks prototypes and the direction of the CFC Media Lab in Yonge Street Media‘s feature article by Joseph Wilson:

GreenHeroes on TVO:

GreenHeroes, a smart, sexy and dynamic Web/TV crossover produced by CineFocus Canada in association with TVO and SUN TV which tells remarkable stories of people who acted on their ideas and heroically “ventured forth” to protect our planet. From the celebrity to the everyday person, each story details the different paths and interests the GreenHeroes have taken in their quests to help save the world.

Episode 2 introduces us to GreenHeroes with a lot in common. They are protecting the places they call home from industrialization and pollution of our fresh water sources and they are using the arts to get their message out to the masses.

Sarah Harmer: An internationally recognized singer/songwriter who flexes her musical muscle to protect a world biosphere site.
Sarah grew up with the Niagara Escarpment in her backyard. Today, she is dedicated to its preservation, and to achieve this goal, she co-founded PERL (Protecting Escarpment Rural Land) and mounts a concert each summer featuring renowned musicians like Bruce Cockburn and Feist.

Gord Downie: The Tragically Hip front man turned environmental activist.
Gord jumped to the front lines of a battle against an unfair polluter when a cement company was experimenting with burning tires as an alternative fuel source. He joined forces with the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper after hearing a speech by Robert Kennedy Jr. and put a halt to the unsafe practice in the lakeside village of Bath, Ontario.

Annabel Slaight: Publisher of “Owl”, the popular nature magazine for kids.
Annabel turned her corporate and organizing know-how to found Ladies of the Lake, an organization dedicated to saving Lake Simcoe. Their Naked Truth calendar released in 2006 didn’t hurt their cause either. The Ladies of the Lake’s efforts contributed to the provincial Lake Simcoe Act and federal funding to aid in the Lake’s clean-up and preservation.

Check out the CFC Media Lab Alumni behind GreenHeroes!

Out My Window:
CFC Media Lab co-produces with NFB the installation Out My Window: Interactive Views from the Global Highrise, one of the world’s first 360 degree webdocumentaries, set to premiere at International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA).

This co-production brings together NFB’s Out My Window team led by Katerina Cizek with Artist Priam Givord, and CFC Media Lab team David Bouchard, Galen Scorer and Ana Serrano to create a more than life size version of Out My Window.

It explores the state of our urban planet through the people who look out onto the world from highrise windows.

Out My Window features 90 minutes of documentary material from 13 cities around the world, shot in 13 languages. As the director, it’s been an honour to work on this huge global collaborative effort over the last year: we worked with over 100 photographers, journalists, architects, residents, activists, researchers around the world to bring you these incredible stories of inspiration, community and resilience.

- Katerina Cizek
Director of Out My Window

(Quote from IDFA DocLab Article by Caspar Sonnen. Read the full article here: http://blog.doclab.org/2010/10/idfa-doclab-presents-out-my-window-by-katerina-cizek)

“Voicings” – Dawn Buie from MaRS Discovery District on Vimeo.

The application deadline for the Telus Interactive Art & Entertainment Program’s Fall 2010 session has been extended to June 21, 2010!

To download the application package, click here: telusiaep_apppack_fall2010

Or visit: www.cfccreates.com/what_we_do/cfc_media_lab/telus_interactive_art_and_entertainment_program/apply

All application inquiries can be directed to medialab@cfcmedialab.com

About the CFC Media Lab

Created in 1997, the CFC Media Lab provides a unique training, research and production think-tank environment for emerging new media content developers, practitioners and companies. An internationally acclaimed and award-winning facility, graduates of the CFC Media Lab emerge as leaders in the world of interactive media, produce innovative projects and start up 21st century companies. CFC Media Lab has graduated more than 150 professionals through its various programs and services including Interactive Art & Entertainment Programme (IAEP), Interactive Project Lab (IPL), Interactive Narrative Feature Program (INFP), and NBC Universal Multiplatform Matchmaking Program (MMP). Over 100 interactive new media content products have been developed and delivered in a variety of platforms. Companies formed by the CFC Media Lab participants include Smiley Guy Studios (smileyguy.com); Trapeze Media Ltd (trapeze.com); and Xenophile Media (xenophile.ca).

APPLY TODAY!

< SURROUND YOURSELF WITH NEW WAYS OF THINKING >

Think your ideas are farfetched? Think again. There’s no limit to what you can create at the CFC Media Lab. In just five months, you will learn from some of the best in the interactive business and develop engage in a collaborative process that will allow you to develop an original prototype.

< APPLY NOW! >

Applications for the Fall 2010 session are due by June 4, 2010. To download the application package, click here: telusiaep_apppack_fall2010

Or visit: www.cfccreates.com/what_we_do/cfc_media_lab/telus_interactive_art_and_entertainment_program/apply

All application inquiries can be directed to medialab@cfcmedialab.com

< ACCELERATE YOUR FUTURE >

The CFC Media Lab TELUS Interactive Art & Entertainment Program (IAEP) is Canada’s first post-graduate training and production program based on a philosophy that compelling content is created though a collaborative process harnessing a wide range of creative skills.

Residents learn from a variety of perspectives including academic, industrial, artistic, technological, and practical. Team-based and project-driven, the TELUS IAEP merges the fundamentals of new media with creative collaboration.

More than 92% of CFC alumni are currently working in the Film, TV and New Media industries. Award winning Alumni companies include Stitch Media (stitchmedia.ca), Smiley Guy Studio (smileyguy.com) and Trapeze Media (trapeze.com) to name a few.

Apply today!

Dear Friends,

Our colleague, our mentor and our dearest friend, Jerry Durlak died on Saturday. I stole this picture of him from his daughter Caitlin’s Flickr pool. The jaunty hat, the purple shirt and the slight twinkle in the eye epitomize beautifully the Jerry we all knew and loved — whip-smart, confident, full of youthful exuberance, optimistic and ever-present.  What makes CFC Media Lab the unique place it is today is largely because of Jerry’s influence. He was there in 1997 when the stables were renovated into the “electronic cottage.” And he was there to push, excite, support and mentor this young woman who had no experience building a “school” but was too terrified to let anybody know. Except Jerry. He commanded trust (and in time, one’s adoration). He doled out equal measures of insights, references, practical advice, and what may seem like non-sequiturs until you shake your head a few more times and discover that he has made a connection only he had the lightning bolt ability to make.

I will miss him very much. We will all miss him.

Please join his wife, Reccia Mandelcorn and children, Alex, Caitlin and Meagan Durlak and step-daughter, Rachel Rosen.

A Meditation Service for Jerry Durlak
Thursday May 27, 2010
11AM
The Simple Alternative
275 Lesmill Road
416-441-1580

In lieu of flowers, donations to One Laptop per Child: www.laptop.org (OLPC Foundation, P.O.Box 425087, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142) would be appreciated.

Coffee and tea will be served at the Centre before and after the ceremony.

All the best,
Ana

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

CFC Media Lab Director, Ana Serrano, has been invited to speak at TEDxCanadianRockies. Check out the other industry leading creatives who have been invited to speak: www.tedxcanadianrockies.com/speakers

WHEN: May 21, 2010
WHERE: The Banff Centre, 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff, Alberta

TEDxCanadianRockies is a full day event featuring live presenters, recorded TED Talks and opportunities for discussion between delegates. Meals will be provided throughout the day through Vistas Restaurant at The Banff Centre. While the live event is open to only one hundred delegates, it will also be streamed live via our website during the day.

For more information and to register, check out their website: www.tedxcanadianrockies.com

The CFC Media Lab has settled quite comfortably into their new digs at the MaRS Centre.

We’ll give you a pair of rare, limited addition, branded, red/cyan anaglyph 3D glasses
…absolutely FREE!

< INFO SESSION IN TORONTO – RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW >

If you want to be learn more about the CFC Media Lab and be a part of the future of interactive art and entertainment, join us in downtown Toronto on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. Space is limited. Please RSVP to medialab@cfccreates.com to reserve your spot and we will forward you the location details.

< SURROUND YOURSELF WITH NEW WAYS OF THINKING >

Think your ideas are farfetched? Think again. There’s no limit to what you can create at the CFC Media Lab. In just five months, you will learn from some of the best in the interactive business and develop engage in a collaborative process that will allow you to develop an original prototype.

< ACCELERATE YOUR FUTURE >

The CFC Media Lab TELUS Interactive Art & Entertainment Program (IAEP) is Canada’s first post-graduate training and production program based on a philosophy that compelling content is created though a collaborative process harnessing a wide range of creative skills.

Residents learn from a variety of perspectives including academic, industrial, artistic, technological, and practical. Team-based and project-driven, the TELUS IAEP merges the fundamentals of new media with creative collaboration.

More than 92% of CFC alumni are currently working in the Film, TV and New Media industries. Award winning Alumni companies include Stitch Media (stitchmedia.ca), Smiley Guy Studio (smileyguy.com) and Trapeze Media (trapeze.com) to name a few.

Applications for the Fall 2010 session are due by June 4, 2010: APPLY NOW!

WHEN: Thurs. May 6, 7pm ‘til late

WHERE: Cadillac Lounge (1296 Queen St W)

ADMISSION: Free!

Presented by Pop Sandbox, TCAF, Hot Docs, The CFC Media Lab, TCHAD Magazine, NOW Magazine & Steam Whistle. KENK includes a robust interactive on-line component produced with the support of the CFC Media Lab and an animated film treatment in development.
Visit: www.kenk.ca.

David Brisbin, CFC Media Lab Alumnus and Production Designer for The Twilight Saga: New Moon, sheds light onto the influence fans can have on Production Design of a film franchise in yesterday’s article posted on jawbone.tv.

New Media savants have also long kept an eye on the mash-ups, machinimas, lego-film knock-offs, blog sites and other forms of FAN-MADE MEDIA in response to beloved movies — that’s old news too. What I am arguing here is that on New Moon (and presumably other shows shot in 2009) these two strands converged on the back of the current wave of tech tools in the hands of fans. The result is something new: INSTANT FAN-MADE MEDIA.

View the whole article here.

David’s Filmography.

Check out our official PRESS RELEASE for our co-productions exhibiting at VANOC’s CODE Live festival running February 4-21, 2010 in Vancouver.

WIN FREE TUITION
Flex your creative muscle and you could win free tuition with our online contest. Apply now at cfccreates.com/contest

We are so proud to announce Sheena Macdonald,  Director of Special Projects, CFC, was presented with the 2009 Honorary Rose Award and Xenophile Media, CFC Media Lab Alumni won the first ever Multi Platform Award at the 2009 Rose D’Or.

Lucerne, Switzerland  – May 5, 2009 – This year’s Golden Rose winners were announced at the Awards Ceremony held on the final evening of the 49th  annual Rose d’Or Festival. Winners were presented with a coveted Golden Rose Award by international stars including Anatole Taubman (Quantum Of Solace), Sofia Milos (CSI Miami) and Jennifer Gareis (The Bold And The Beautiful). The event was hosted by American actor and comedian Maz Jobrani.

Festival Director Urban Frye presented Sheena Macdonald, Director of Special Projects at The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) and writer/producer George Anthony with the 2009 Honorary Rose.

“This award is presented to individuals who have made a significant impact on the entertainment television industry,” said Frye, “Sheena and George have made outstanding contributions during their careers. Their extraordinary achievements demonstrate the value of embracing quality, originality and creativity, and I am delighted to present them with the 2009 Honorary Rose Award.”

MULTI PLATFORM CATAGORY

MI High, Whack The Mole, The MI High Alternate Reality Game
Production Company: Xenophile Media
Broadcaster/Distributor: BBC

Whack the Mole, The MI High Alternate Reality Game, was created to enhance the viewer’s connection to the second season of MI High. Thirteen online episodes linked to thirteen episodes on TV broadcast from January to April 2008.
The interactive experience brings the world of MI High to life; offering viewers the chance to become an MI High Field Agent, literally joining the MI High Team, foiling villains and solving cases of vital importance to the British secret service.

Welcome to the new <stabletalk>! Chock full of CFC Media Lab goodness, <stabletalk> will keep you up to date on what is happening here, all the exciting things happening with you and even what is going on with other people who don’t live in Canada. Cool hey?

And you, what role do you play, my friend? Well, it is up to you to let me know what is going on with you. What are you up to? What are you working on? Are you looking to hire someone? Need someone to collaborate with? Keep in touch. Write more often. We love hearing what you are up to.  Please reach me here.

Congratulations to:

David Oppenheim / Diamond Road Online – Excellence in News / Information Award -  http://diamondroad.tv/index_tvo.php

Smiley Guy Studios – Excellence in Cross Platform Award – www.oddjobjack.com

The CFC Media Lab would also like to extend our congratulations to all of the CNMA Award winners and nominees for 2008. It is always exciting to get a snapshot of the amazing work that continues to emerge and grow across Canada.

To see all of the award winners and find out more about the CNMA Awards please go to www.cnma.ca

Submission Deadline: Monday February 23, 2009

The TELUS Innovation Fund invests in film, television, and new media projects creating the next forms of entertainment.

The TELUS Innovation Fund, created by the Canadian Film Centre with funding from the TELUS Foundation, provides funding for the production of innovative film, television, and new media content projects. This fund invests in new forms of high-quality, original Canadian content that employ innovative strategies in breaking new ground to reach general public audiences.  The TELUS Innovation Fund supports a minimum of 3 projects per year with funding up to $100,000 for each project.

Launched in January of 2006, the fund was designed to assist projects that explore new ways of approaching entertainment and storytelling; placing Canadian ideas, talent and media at the forefront.

For more information download the TELUS Innovation Fund Guidelines Package at:  www.cfccreates.com

Or contact TELUS Innovation Fund Coordinator
Antoinette di Michele
adimichele AT cfccreates.com
416-445-1446 ext. 208

Please visit the website and see if your project fits our 2008 Guidelines & send this e-mail to anyone who may be interested.

We look forward to your submission!

James Milward and Secret Location faced tough competition from last years champion, Mekanism, San Francisco and Seattle’s Wexley School for Girls, emerging victorious presenting a deep multi-tiered integrated campaign.

It was a tough race as the Board Summit is ‘THE WORLDS LARGEST COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION CONFERENCE’ and all the big players are there from every agency in the world.

James / Secret Location went up against Jason Harris, CEO and Ian Kovalik, Creative Director from Mekanism in San Francisco, (one of the top digital agencies in the world) (http://www.mekanism.com) and Brian Marr, Managing Director of The Wexley School for Girls in Seattle (One of the hottest integrated agencies in the world) (http://www.wexley.com).

The Creative Challenge focused its efforts on GLASS (http://www.giveaglass.org/Welcome.html) – the advertising/post/production endeavor to decrease waste in the environment and increase clean water supply in the world. Selected companies were given a brief 2 weeks before the competition and then presented creative solutions to the goal of eliminating plastic waste and contributing to clean water resources live on stage at the summit.

After a hard fought 45 minutes and the three presentations, including a grilling from client, Mishawn Williams (Glass) and Judge, Roger Baldacci – EVP & Creative Director, Arnold Worldwide, in Boston (http://www.arnoldworldwide.com), James Milward and his company Secret Location emerged victorious.

This was a stunning defeat as Mekanism were the defending champions, and both Mekanism and Wexley have dozens of employees, creatives and resources to work on the challenge. Secret Location is currently 6 people.

To find out more about Secret Location:

http://www.thesecretlocation.com

Find out more about the Creative Challenge at the Boards Summit in New York:

More about Boards magazine: http://www.boardsmag.com

< April, 2008 >

********************************************

Table of Contents

1.) CFC Media Lab Events
2.) CFC Media Lab Updates
3.) Alumni Updates
4.) Local and non-local Events, Calls & Deadlines                                                                                                                        5.) Jobs                                                                                                                                                                                         6.) Workshops

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++     ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++                                                                                                          CFC MEDIA LAB EVENTS
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++                                                                                                           CFC Media Lab Annual Survey
We know a lot of you are doing amazing things and would love to hear about it! For those of you who haven’t filled out the annual survey yet please take a couple of minutes to complete it and let us know what you are up to.
iPod Touch contest has been extended! Please fill out the survey to be entered.
Thank you so much to the people who have already sent in their surveys! You are all automatically entered in the draw.

http://www.cfcmedialab.com/survey

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++                                                                                                            New Residents + Drinks = Super-fun Party
IAEP Spring 2008 Meet the New Residents Party
They are all awesome. You are all awesome. What could be more fun than to network with other awesome people? That’s right. Not  much. Come on down to The Central on April 24 to meet our new residents and have a drink.
Venue: The Central, 603 Markham Street in Mirvish Village
Date / Time: April 24, 8pm – 1am
Map: http://www.thecentral.ca/info.php
www.thecentral.ca <http://www.thecentral.ca>
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++                                                                                                               CFC MEDIA LAB UPDATES
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We have another fantastic group of resident for the Spring 2008 session. Their interests and skills range from theatre, music and sound art, programming, wireless networks, wearable textiles, film, interactive art, writing and on and on….They are:
Angella Mackey
Deiren Masterson
Jefferson Wright
Nicholas Longstaff
Patrick Dinnen
Rea McNamara

If you want to find out more about who these phenomenal people are please see attached bios.
Some of their extracurricular activities include:

Moonshine Cabaret w/ DJ ree raw [Rea McNamara]
Every Friday @ Margret (2952 Dundas W – near Pacific Ave.)

More?
A weekly Friday night party spinning post post post post-genre that
Junction asses have shaken to since Dec ’07. Yeah, we’ve been around.
Also a low-fi fashionista dead supermodels tribute night. Depends on
your ready-to-wear, could possibly be none of the above. Choose your
own adventure.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fall 2007 Session Update

The Prototype Preview for the Fall 2007 IAEP residents was a great success, despite the howling storm that decided to descend that night! Three prototypes were presented and have received quite a bit of attention already! Two of the prototypes are in talks with prominent industry players who would like to take the prototypes to exhibit or to market. As well, at several of these recent alumni have landed jobs in the industry. Congratulations are in order for all the hard work they put in during the last session and also for the successes they have begun to rack up!

The prototypes are:

TRANSPORTED delivers a series of video and sound clips, which posit public transportation as a “third space” – a space that is neither home nor work, but where people spend an important part of their lives. These clips are found stories of encounters on public transit, and illuminate the quick insight people have into each other when they travel together. This project aims to convey that commuting can be an adventure, an occasion for human contact and romance. The clips are available for broadcast, podcasts, downloading or will be seen on interactive screens mounted in public spaces.
Created by: Isabella Stefanescu & Carlo Ghioni

Mytime is a set of physical objects that integrates with your computer to represent time.  Each object has programmable characteristics that allow it to function in many different ways. Invent new possibilities to display time. Vary the combination for different effects.
Created by: Simone Maurice, Andrew Mallis, Ulysses Castellanos, Genevieve Godin, Tristen Brown

Greenwave is a facebook application that encourages and facilitates cooperative participation in environmentally friendly team challenges. Greenwave users invite their friends to join them in a commitment to simple actions that make a positive improvement on the environment. Visualizations that illustrate the collective impact of users’ cooperative action will demonstrate that small steps are making a positive impact on the environment.  Challenges range from taking your reusable mug along with you to the coffee shop, to boycotting plastic and paper bags in favor of cloth ones, to giving up the car for your commute to work. It is our hope that by participating in our challenges, users will have fun changing their lifestyle for the environmental good and inspire others to ride the green wave.
Created by: Zan Chandler, Elliot Woolner, Sharon Rotman

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
INFP – Late Fragment
“Brilliantly atmospheric, beautifully and lyrically made, “Late Fragment” might’ve been a strong movie, even without the interactive element. As it stands, it could be the prototype for a new kind of narrative experience, that is, if the viewer is up for the challenge. My guess is we’ll be hearing a lot about this movie in the months ahead, as it premieres worldwide on DVD this June or July.”
blog.jaman.com/?p=383
Late Fragment is continuing to receive high accolades as it tours film and interactive festivals worldwide including Whistler Film Festival, Victoria Film Festival, and Kingston Film Festival and Nuit Blanche Montreal. It recently had its US premiere at SxSW in Autin Texas and will be the headliner of the Future Films programme at the 01 Festival in San Jose, California.
MONGREL MEDIA has picked up Late Fragment for domestic distribution and are looking at a DVD release date of July 2008.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CFC Media Lab Staff
Elliot Woolner is a recent addition to the CFC Media Lab roster. Before graduating from the IAEP Fall 2007 session, he attended the  University of Waterloo, where he earned a Bachelor of Mathematics,  majoring in Computer Science.  He has a wide range of experience as  both a software developer and quality assurance specialist.  In  addition to currently working part time at the CFC, Elliot is  developing applications for Facebook, making Web 2.0 and Social  Network Platforms the focus of his research and work.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ALUMNI UPDATES
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Congratulations to IAEP Alumni Smiley Guy Studios
 [www.oddjobjack.com] who recently won the Canadian Film and Television Producers Indie Award for Best Convergent New Media!
This was the first annual celebration of Canadian independent producers in film, television, and new media recognized outstanding Canadian producer achievement in ten categories of the film, television and new media industry.
The awards ceremony was the launch event for the CFTPA’s Prime Time in Ottawa – a must-attend industry event with over 600 delegates from all regions of the country. Sold-out each year, Prime Time in Ottawa plays host a broad cross-section of the production industry, as well as broadcasters, distributors, exhibitors, cable and satellite providers, government officials and the national media.
www.cftpa.ca
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++                                                                                                                                       IAEP Alumnus ANDREW MALLIS will be exhibiting an artwork as part of the:
5th TORONTO TIMERAISER
HOSTED BY AVI LEWIS
SATURDAY APRIL 5th, 2008
DISTILLERY DISTRICT, FERMENTING CELLAR
DOORS OPEN AT 7:00 PM
PLEDGE WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD (MIN. 20 HOURS)
GOAL IS TO RAISE 7,500 COMMUNITY HOURS!

To find out more….

http://www.timeraiser.ca/en/Toronto-2008

http://www.frameworkfoundation.ca

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++LOCAL & non_local EVENTS, CALLS & DEADLINES
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
OGRES, HALFLINGS, NIGHT ELVES AND CHUCK NORRIS
Eddo Stern
Curated by Pablo de Ocampo and Dana Samuel
In conjunction with the 21st annual Images Festival

April 4- May 3, 2008
Opening Reception Friday, April 4, 8pm onward
InterAccess Electronic Media Arts Centre, 9 Ossington Avenue, Toronto
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BreakIT! at FITC Toronto: The Design + Technology Festival
April 19 – 22, 2008, Toronto Hilton, Toronto, Canada

Break your tools. Break your patterns. Break the norm. Break the standards.

New to this year’s program is the FITC “Get-A-Job” event, which takes place Saturday, April 19th at the Toronto Hilton. The Get-A-Job event is open to the general public (no festival pass required) and is organized to connect up-and-coming designers and developers with top Interactive agencies and technology companies. For more information, go to http://www.fitc.ca/getajob.

This is the 7th year for the three-day festival, which also includes a kick-ass Awards show, a speakers’ series devoted to experimental art and programming, a large scale interactive art exhibit as well as some very cool parties.

For more information, or to register, go to http://www.fitc.ca/toronto <http://www.fitc.ca/toronto> .
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Apr. 14 | First deadline for the Android Developer Challenge.
Want to develop applications for Google’s new Android mobile phone platform and make a cool $275,000? Google has put $10 million into a competition to do just that – develop a lot of original cool apps that are highly functional as well as usable. The apps need to access core Android functionality like location-based services, accelerometer and always-on networking. More info at code.google.com/android/adc.html
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Apr. 25 | Deadline to apply to the Product Assistance component of the Canada New Media Fund (CNMF).
This fund provides conditionally repayable advances for the development, production and marketing of Canadian interactive digital cultural content products – in both official languages – that are intended for the general public. See telefilm.gc.ca.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bend Over and Submit to InterAccess!
An Open Call for Recent Graduates!
Deadline: Friday April 25th, 2008.
Let us tie you up in an exhibition this summer. Submissions are now being accepted for the 8th annual Emerging Artists’ Exhibition. Since 2001, InterAccess has mounted an annual Emerging Artists’ Exhibition showcasing new media works by post-secondary students and/or recent graduates. This initiative aims to provide students and recent graduates with professional experience and exposure.
We are looking for submissions of electronic, interactive and new media work, including works related to artistic genres such as sculpture, installation, video and performance. Preference may be given to submissions exploring the relationship and/or interaction between human intimacy and technology, although due to the fluidity of an open call the theme is responsive and the curator develops an exhibition related to the submissions received.
www.interaccess.org
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fresh Ground New Works
Harbourfront Centre’s National Commissioning Programme

Recognizing that some of the most creative and fascinating work being produced across the country today is the result of artists working in different ways and through non-traditional collaborations, as part of our 30th anniversary celebrations in 2004, we launched an exciting legacy programme entitled Fresh Ground new works: funding which aims to be the catalyst for new, collaborative artistic creations incorporating more than one discipline or field, to be presented or installed here at Harbourfront. With the generous support of several individual donors and the Imperial Tobacco Canada Arts Fund, Harbourfront Centre has committed $200,000 toward the creation of a total of ten new, collaborative, multi-disciplinary, Canadian works to date.

This year, Harbourfront Centre is pleased to issue the third Call for Submissions for Fresh Ground new works. Thanks once again to the support of our donors and the Imperial Tobacco Canada Arts Fund, a maximum of five separate projects will be selected to receive $20,000 each toward their creation and presentation during Harbourfront Centre’s 2009/2010 season.

For more information: http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/noflash/freshground/index.php
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Healthcare Perspectives on Digital Storytelling Retreat
May 20-22, 2008
Digital Storytelling is emerging throughout the world as a powerful tool for effectively capturing and sharing stories within the health sector. Many successful and innovative programs for implementing storytelling are underway, but not all are widely known or shared. Join us at a retreat to provide an opportunity for digital storytelling practises to be shared with and amongst health care practitioners, researchers, patients and policy makers. CDS Director Joe Lambert, Canadian Associate Michelle Spencer, and Patient Voices’ Pip Hardy from the UK will lead the dialogue. The goals of this retreat are to highlight initiatives throughout the world using digital stories in their work, bring together policy makers and health providers to build a community of health practitioners interested in partnering and supporting the work of digital storytelling. Provide a very practical and logistical understanding of digital storytelling to those interested in program implementation. The retreat will be held at Bowen Lodge by the Sea on Bowen Island. Located just a twenty minute ferry ride from West Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay, Bowen Island offers quiet surroundings for boating, fishing, walking, kayaking and beach combing. Downtown Bowen Island is home to over 400 local artists and many galleries. www.bowenlodgebythesea.com <http://www.bowenlodgebythesea.com <http://www.bowenlodgebythesea.com> >

Cost: $595/per person includes registration, accommodation and meals
For more information: please contact Michelle Spencer michelle@storycenter.org. To register: workshop@storycenter.org <mailto:workshop@storycenter.org>
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++                                                                                               Stories for Change
With more than 200 stories (and more being uploaded every week) and forum discussions on everything from microphone recommendations to tips for recruiting youth for workshops, Stories for Change <http://www.storiesforchange.net <http://www.storiesforchange.net> >  has become a dynamic community of digital storytellers from around the world! If you haven’t visited in awhile, please take a moment to stop by, check out some of our latest additions, share some tips and/or questions on the forum, or even upload a new story.
We are celebrating a part of a new initiative at Stories for Change <http://storiesforchange.net/ <http://storiesforchange.net/> >  of sharing stories on particular themes, to coincide with various international days and celebrations. The goal of this initiative is to highlight both the diversity of voices on the site and the common social justice threads going on in the world of digital storytelling today. Through the initiative, we will be working to connect with other organization’s doing work on specific social justice issues and encourage them to become involved in the Stories for Change <http://storiesforchange.net/ <http://storiesforchange.net/> >  community. For more information, please email: laura@storycenter.org.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++                                                                                         JOBS
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CivicActions Seeks Geeks for Good!

CivicActions is growing and we’re seeking passionate, talented and
creative team members to empower our clients – organizations actively
making the world a better place using Drupal in innovative and impactful
ways.

We’re out to protect the environment, advance peace, improve public
health, promote education, champion social and economic justice and
increase human potential. In short, we’re here to empower change in the
world using our knowledge, insight and artistry.

Our client list tells you the kinds of things that are important to us:
Amnesty International, the Witness Video Hub, SolveClimate, Mother
Jones, the Democratic Party, Jim Hightower, the ACLU and the Free
Software Foundation among many others.

We are actively seeking people who want to work from anywhere and as
much as they want (10-15/hrs per week minimum), who are committed to
doing great work for great clients, and who’ll join us in “being the
change” in the process.

Who we’d like to meet:

Project Managers
Drupal Developers / Web Engineers
Application Specialist (able to interface w/ clients, recommend and
configure modules & content types, etc.)
Themers
QA Engineers
Visual Designers specializing in Web 2.0 design. 2.1, anyone?

We’ve got an exciting pipeline of projects (there’s a whole lotta change
going on!), so get in touch with us today!  Visit us at
http://www.civicactions.com/jobs <http://www.civicactions.com/jobs>
CivicActions Seeks Geeks for Good!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++                                                                               WORKSHOPS
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Upcoming Workshops at the Rich Media Institute in Toronto
Our mission is to educate designers, developers and marketers in the rich media industry about the capabilities, software tools, best practices and technologies for the professional creation of digital media. 

Rich media technologies and software have redefined business, entertainment, and personal communications. Our goal is to train developers to produce and deliver content that engages people anywhere at anytime. We constantly push the boundaries of the digital universe. As an institute we provide leadership in software education. We recognize and celebrate excellence in digital media development.

RMI Toronto was founded by industry leader Shawn Pucknell, Director of FITC Events <http://www.fitc.ca/> . RMI Toronto workshops are held at Element156 <http://element156.com/> , the digital media center in Kensington Market in downtown Toronto, Canada.

For more information, course descriptions and ticket sales, please see our website www.richmediainstitute.com or email jackie@richmediainstitute.com

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Registration is now open for the InterAccess Interactive Art Workshop Series: Ag Edition
WORKSHOPS FEBRUARY THROUGH APRIL, 2008

InterAccess’s Interactive Art Workshop Series provides artists with the tools needed to begin exploring the creative uses of technology. Participants gain a solid technical foundation for realizing their artistic vision. Our workshops demonstrate how a computer can communicate with and integrate visuals, audio and electronics. InterAccess emphasizes production strategies for artworks that take place in real space and real time, including performance, interactive installation, audio, video, and kinetic or robotic sculpture and installation.
See interaccess.org for more information about these workshops.

< December, 2007 >

********************************************

Table of Contents

1.) CFC Media Lab Events
2.) CFC Media Lab Updates
3.) Alumni Updates
4.) Local and non-local Events, Calls & Deadlines

******************************************
CFC MEDIA LAB EVENTS
*******************************************

** CFC Media Lab Karaoke Super Alumni Holiday Party
There is serious fun to be had at the CFC Media Lab’s annual holiday party.  The Flashboyz, consisting of 66% CFC Media Lab Alumni (Kori Golding and Owen Milburn), will be performing and will, hopefully, inspire you to do the same when the karaoke begins!

It is also a fabulous time for you to meet our newest residents!

Friday December 14, 2007
7:30pm – 2am
Magpie
812 Dundas Street West

******************************************
CFC MEDIA LAB UPDATES
*******************************************

** IAEP 2007 Fall Session
As usual, we have a stellar group of residents inhabiting the stables for the Fall 2007 IAEP session. They come from a wide range of disciplines including music, graphic design, performance art, programming, painting, dance and documentary filmmaking.  They are Andrew Mallis, Simone Maurice, Carlos Ghioni, Ulysses Castellanos, Isabella Stefanescu, Genevieve Godin, Tristan Brown, Sharon Rotman, Zan Chandler, Eliot Woolner. If you would like to find out more about these fine individuals their bios are attached.

They have now moved into groups and have begun production. Three groups have formed:

SEZ- Sharon Rotman, Eliot Woolner, Zan Chandler
GEST – Carlo Ghoini, Isabella Stefanescu
GUSTA – Genevieve Godin, Ulysses Castellanos, Andrew Mallis, Simone, Tristan Brown

We are all excited and intrigued to see what develops during production. The soft launch for this group will be held at the CFC Media Lab on February 8 so that you can see what has been developing as well!

—————————————————–
** IPL
Accessible Action Pact took Xmedia conference by storm! Deborah Hession and Faisel Anwar presented the newest incarnation of their Accessible Action Pact project.  A major part of the conference for AAP was the opportunity created by Xmedia for them to meet with mentors to further develop their project. Their work was well received by their mentors, companies and content producers from around the world. The conference was held this year itself was held at Singapore’s newest technological arts university. The IPL provided support to help them get there.

IPL at BNMI
The BNMI put on their annual IPL workshop from November 26-28, 2007. This workshop is aimed at furthering Canadian digital media content and technology creators’ skills for the interactive media market.
This year Alumni project InVUze [nee VirJ] was presented by Jacqueline Nuwame. As well, two current IAEP residents, Carlo Ghoni and Genevieve Godin, were selected to attend and develop their project. The mentors include CFC Media Lab Faculty member Marty Avery along with Yoshio Amira, Michael Ede, David Kretz, Wm Leler and Ravi Shukla.

—————————————————–
** INFP – Late Fragment
After three years of planning and production, CFC Media Lab, in partnership with the NFB, has completed North America’s first interactive feature film, Late Fragment, which has been garnering worldwide attention. Its world premiere was at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2007 and also screened at FCNM in Montreal this past October. It is currently being submitted to other major festivals around the world.
Intended as a console experience, the DVD of Late Fragment is currently under production and will be released in Spring of 2008 by Mongrel Media.
An intense cinematic experience, this film explores three strangers, three lives — fractured by thoughts and acts of seething violence. In the interactive feature film Late Fragment, you unravel their interlocked stories with a simple click.
This was the INFP’s inagural film and it featured a host of CFC Media Lab staff, faculty and alumni including Daryl Cloran [writer/director], Ana Serrano [producer], Galen Scorer[Interactive Video System Designer as well as the Quality Assurance Tools Designer], Christina Santiago [interactive line producer (along with Caitlin O’Donovan) and Quality Assurance lead],  Susan Gorbet was our User Test designer, with Bronwyn Anderson in tow, Siobhan O’Flynn was our story editor, Shelly Simmons was one of our User Test coordinators, Tahir Mahmood and Sarah Townshend were on our Quality Assurance Team and Maxim Fishman was our DVD Authoring Researcher and Randy Horton was our form Quality Assurance consultant.

Late Fragment recent and upcoming events include:

***Official Selection
Toronto International Film Festival
September 2007

***Official Selection
Festival de Nouveau Cinema
October 2007

***Nuit Blanche Premiere
October 2007

***Keynote Interactive Cinema Talk
Ghent International Film Festival
October 2007

***Whistler Film Festival Interactive Cinema Workshop
November 2007

***Victoria Film Festival
Trigger Points Pacific Symposium
February 2008

—————————————————–
** CFC Media Lab Exhibition 2007: Digital Alchemy
With a new venue and a new date, this years’ CFC Media Lab Exhibition 2007: Digital Alchemy was an exciting and memorable event. Held during Nuit Blanche this year’s prototypes were seen by over 2300 people! Showcased this year were the following projects:

Strata is a mobile based, GPS enabled, interactive mediascape that features historic Canadian sites.  Over the last thousand years, Canada has developed from wilderness to townships, from townships to urban sprawl. Guided by a GPS enabled mobile phone to various locations, or waypoints, visitors can explore these changes through the stories that Strata has created that depict the early development of each site.
Katie Kehoe, Sanjay Papinazath, Gregory Richardson, Brule Seignoret

World Without Water makes hand washing and the everyday convention of facing a bathroom mirror into a global action. Wash in the sink and enter an immersive play of images from desert dunes to icefields. This interactive installation is a one-of-a-kind experience that may transform you, and in turn, the world.
Suzette Araujo, Tahir Mahmood, Kalli Paakspuu

Witness That Place is a locative media project that explores interactivity through a series of online mappings and marked site-specific locations. By indicating stories of trauma in public spaces the public interrogates notions of space, memory, trauma, and restoration by sharing their stories and documenting the act of witnessing to create an evolutionary storytelling framework.
Patricia Lee , Sarah Shamash

LMNO-Pics is an interactive language game for children to explore their online family photos. Using playful letter blocks, a unique spelling board, and an interactive interface, kids explore their world!
Jason Goodman, Mary Plasterer, Dave Reynolds, Sarah Townshend

We also showcased our projects in our production and research initiatives:

CulturALL
Move, play and learn with CULTURALL ACTION PACT.  Through the use of an interactive sculpture of a flying bat, Accessible Action Pact engages kids with physical disabilities to learn by using their bodies to control the bat as it explores a virtual world before them. The bat’s metal skeletal frame easily adjusts to accommodate most sizes of wheelchair. Different sensors and adaptable buttons can be plugged in for alternative interactive play. An adjustable touch-video screen is attached so that teachers or attendants can assist in the play if the user is having difficulty.  Accessible Action Pact was created by Deborah Hession and Faisal Anwar and produced by the CFC in partnership with the CulturAll network (The Banff New Media Institute and The University of Toronto’s Adaptive Technology Resource Centre). Future applications may include use by educational environments and therapeutic centres.  Visit www.actionpactdesigns.com <http://www.actionpactdesigns.com/> for further information.
Faisal Anwar, Deborah Hession

INFP
Late Fragment –  North America’s first interactive feature films and the INFP’s inaugural production, Late Fragment was VJ’d in the gallery’s theatre and was also available in the lounge for visitors to control the action themselves! This project was well received and was a great opportunity for visitors to see new ways of exploring the film genre. More information about this project can be found further down in the newsletter.
Directors -Daryl Cloran, Anita Doron, Mateo Guez / Writers – Daryl Cloran, Anita Doron, Mateo Guez / Producers – Anita Lee (NFB), Ana Serrano (CFC)

—————————————————–
** CFC Media Lab Staff
CFC Media Lab is thrilled to have a fantastic new Programs Coordinator — Leonardo Dell’Anno. Lenny, like Julie and Tina, hails from Humber’s Production programs. His specialization was producing and has in his short career already produced a handful of short films. He also has an impeccable background in administration and executive assistance.

Julie DeAngelis, our previous stellar Programs Coordinator, is now busily working for DeAngelis Entertainment, her family business. They are currently in production for several events including their annual performance at Roy Thompson Hall, a stint at Carnegie Hall in January, Joey and Gina’s Comedy Wedding, and various musical events in between. www.bobdeangelis.com

Randy Horton, previously our Network Developer, is now devoted full time to his MFA Documentary Media. We are very excited to see what he produces during his time there!

—————————————————–
** CFC Media Lab Job Posting
The CFC Media Lab has a job opening for a creative hacker and network developer. This part time position provides essential network technology support to the full range of new media training, production and research programmes at the Media Lab. Position also provides development and designing of innovative new media applications using a range of online technologies. For further information please contact Galen Scorer at galen@cfccreates.com.

******************************************
ALUMNI UPDATES
*******************************************
**Jacqueline Nuwame wins 2007 Quebecor BWTVF Mentorship Award!
Jacqueline Nuwame wins the 2007 Quebecor BWTVF Mentorship Award presented by WIFT [Women in Film & Television] in association with the Banff World Television Festival, June 10-13, 2007.

This national competitive program gives one talented Canadian female or male producer, of a visible minority or Aboriginal group, the invaluable opportunity to prepare for attending the 2007 Banff World Television Festival through an intensive three-month Market Mentorship and Festival Bursary with one of Canada’s leading broadcast executives, Karen King. The BWTVF experience is comprehensive, allowing the award winner to take full advantage of the business and creative opportunities available at this world-class festival.

—————————————————–
** Cieo Creative
Cieo Creative, founded by CFC Media Lab Alumni Jason Goodman, Mary Plasterer and Dave Reynolds, is currently working with 2 major US toy companies on their first interactive toy. This interactive language game enables kids to explore their online digital family photos in a fun and action packed way! This exciting new game will hit stores everywhere in August 2008.  www.cieocreative.com

—————————————————–
** Network Touch, Galen Scorer, at IA25
Galen Scorer, CFC Media Lab’s Technology & Research Manager, will be presenting Network Touch as a part of InterAccess’ 25 anniversary exhibit, IA25: Mapping a practice of new media art. This exhibition co-curated by Nina Czegledy and Angella Mackey explores and pays tribute to the vibrant history of media art in Canada. The historical background and context of “logic in the machine” is also investigated by this event. Celebrating InterAccess’ 25th Anniversary, the exhibition features artists and curators with ties to InterAccess, including Norman White, Simone Jones, Galen Scorer and emerging artist Lorena Salomé. Workshops and master classes in electronics and interactive design will be held in conjunction with the exhibition.
January 25- March 8, 2008
Opening, January 25, 2008 8pm.
For more information please see www.interaccess.org <http://www.interaccess.org>

—————————————————–
**I See a Darkness, Ulysses Castellanos at Gallery TPW
Current resident Ulysses Castellanos is also part of a residency project at Gallery TPW and will be showcasing his work until February 2007.

Do you sometimes get the strange feeling that someone is in your room with you, but you are the only person there, so you get the urge to turn on every light in the house? Did you ever get creeped out by a certain TV show as a kid, maybe a science program with a spooky soundtrack that was only meant for the “grownups”? Were you ever afraid of clowns? The “I SEE A DARKNESS” curatorial residency takes these feelings and explores its possibilities for and in contemporary art.

As part of my residency I am using multiple sites of dissemination. Alongside a gallery exhibition in February 2007, I’m exploring the use of the Internet — in the form of YouTube, Blogspot, and the TPW website — for programming and outreach.

http://gallerytpw.ca/programming/0702-UCastellanos.html

—————————————————–
**Stitch Media
Evan and Shelley, CFC Media Lab alumni, are excited to announce the launch of Stitch Media’s newest project The Border: Interactive, funded by the Bell New Media Fund.  It’s a cross-platform extension to a TV drama series airing on CBC in January called “The Border” divided into two elements: Mobile Contest and Interactive Episode.

The first is a mobile contest where people take pictures of these Quick Response codes or “QR codes” using their cellphones that decode into virtual passport stamps. There are as many stamps as there are border crossings in Canada.  With each stamp uploaded from their cell phones to their virtual passport (which they can check online through The Border’s website), they are entered in a draw to win a big fancy prize (to be announced). We’re pretty psyched about this portion of the project because the QR codes will also be included in a heavy cross-Canada CBC-run marketing campaign.

The other is an interactive episode, if you will, that you experience through the show’s website. It’s a mix of live action with the characters from the show and game play where the user is asked to join the border’s defense team (or ‘ICS team’ [Immigration Customs Security]) and help solve border-related crimes, as they do in the show. Narratively, it starts before the first episode.

Evan Jones (Feb ’03) – Producer
Shelley Simmons (Feb ’06) – Project Manager
www.cbc.ca/theborder <http://www.cbc.ca/theborder>

—————————————————–
**element156_ Digital Media Centre Launches in Toronto
CFC Media Lab alumnus Tom Kuo teamed up with FITC Design &Technology Events Group as designer and project-manager to co-produce element156_ Digital Media Centre in Toronto ( www.element156.ca <http://www.element156.ca/> ). Located in Kensington market at 156 Augusta Avenue, this 3 story 5000 sq/ft building hosts Toronto’s first computer art based interactive gallery ( www.pixelgallery.org <http://www.pixelgallery.org/> ), a school specializing in Rich Media training
( www.richmediainstitute.com <http://www.richmediainstitute.com/> ), a combination of physical and digital design studios, and a store front containing awesome design, art and modern technology related books, magazines, gadgets, toys, and cool T-shirts
( www.function13.ca <http://www.function13.ca/> ).

—————————————————–
**[murmur] events and updates.
[murmur] launched a small project at the Toronto Reference Library
this month, to commemorate its 30th anniversary:

http://murmurtoronto.ca/

[murmur] will have a single-location pilot project in Sao Paulo
launching December 5th: http://mobilefest.com.br
[murmur] is partnering with the Playwrights Guild of Canada on Uth
Ink, a youth playwriting initiative with a strong community focus.
They will be launching this project in twenty communities across Canada in
the next three years!

—————————————————–
**Launch of Media Lab Toronto
CFC Media Lab alumnus, Gabe Sawney is part of Media Lab Toronto, a collective creating
work at the intersection of technology, media, art and experience design. They launched their collective and their site at the end of November 2007. http://medialabtoronto.ca <http://medialabtoronto.ca/>

—————————————————–
**Resolve Labs in beta testing for new project called Pax E-democracy
CFC Media Lab alumnus, Andreas Ua’Siaghail has started Pax e-democracy, a collaborative role-playing democracy “game”, and has hired Sara Townsend also former resident to manage this new project. They launched their beta-testing site here at http://www.resolvelabs.com/alphaBetaGaga/

—————————————————–
**A new band is born
CFC Media Lab alumni, Kori Golding and Owen Milburn have created a new ghetto rave music collective called FlashBoyz. You can see their kickin’ x-mas Myspace page here: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=70420882 <http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&amp;friendid=70420882>

—————————————————–
**Virj has morphed into inVuze
CFC Media Lab alumnus, Rawl Banton has teamed up with Adam Bacsalmasi and Jaqueline Nuwame to launch inVuze — an interactive out of home broadband media network providing digital music and other forms of media to bars, lounges, nightclubs, poolhalls and other public spaces. You can see their beta stills here: http://invuze.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 <http://invuze.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&amp;Itemid=1>

—————————————————–
** MOVERS & SHAKERS

The following list (obviously not exhaustive, so please send us your news if you have moved or shaken things latelyJ) of alumni in no particular order, have either switched jobs, found new ones, and now occupy interesting spaces and places in this whirlwind world of new media:

John Kalangis
Executive in Charge of Original Programming, Interactive
Arts and Entertainment
CBC Television

Tessa Sproule
Executive in Charge of Digital Programming
CBC Television
Factual Entertainment

Samantha Hodder
Executive Director
DOC Ontario

Geoff Siskind
Producer
Search Engine
CBC

Bronwyn Anderson
Design Director
Trapeze Media

Noam Muscovitch
Director of Operations
Ithentic

Gabe Sawney
Sessional Instructor
Interaction Design
OCAD

Rawl Banton
Partnership Executive
Achilles Media

Richard Kanee
Director Business Development
CTV Digital

(Now we know that there are a lot more of you who have changed positions and/or are doing amazing things. Please send us your news and we can circulate them to our community. Also we will be asking you to fill out our biannual resident information surveys in the new year, so stay tuned for that.)

******************************************
LOCAL & non_local EVENTS, CALLS & DEADLINES
*******************************************
** Pixel Gallery officially opened November 17th with their inaugural exhibit -”The Touch Show”
Pixel’s new mantra is “touch” with a focus on creating discourse around new and emerging technology and how it relates to immersive art, design and techno-culture. The inaugural exhibit is called The Touch Show. This immersive exhibit is designed to bring people together to interact with art, design and technology.
Come and gaze in technological amazement as people create and interact with illustrations created in real-time, see amoeba like structures transcend the screen, immerse yourself in an interactive front window, play with a giant vinyl record you can scratch and see a 60MM laser tag our building!

The presenting artists are:
Zachery Lieberman > http://thesystemis.com/drawnInstallation/#video
Chris Sugrue > http://csugrue.com/delicateBoundaries
The GRL > http://graffitiresearchlab.com/?page_id=76#video
Nanika > http://www.nanikawa.com
Craig Swann > http://www.crashmedia.com
Greg Hermanovic > http://www.derivativeinc.com

info: www.pixelgallery.org
join the Pixel opening on facebook: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=5299094462
156 Augusta
—————————————————–
** transmediale.08 – CONSPIRE…
After two years as guest of the Academy of Arts, transmediale.08 returns for its next edition in January/February 2008 to Berlin’s landmark House of World Cultures giving focus to digital technology as an intrinsic element of worldwide contemporary culture .

Under the theme CONSPIRE… transmediale.08 aims to hear from a broad range of artists, media activists and academics working within the realms of digital art and culture in ways which may be read as elaborating upon and challenging our understanding of collaborative and network practice. As such transmediale.08 looks to the cross-disciplinary tinkerers, utopian spelunkers, conspiratorial hoaxsters and stealth tacticians who question, subvert, undermine and bypass the unspoken rules, hidden codes of conduct and assumed truths entrenched within our information driven communication cultures and ideological belief structures.

 By exploring subversive artistic methodologies and developing (counter-) conspiratorial strategies to uncover new forms of expression and digital discourse CONSPIRE… will attempt to enter the increasingly prevalent yet ambiguous worlds of network induced narratives, cryptic environments and speculative inquiry.
Festival 30 Jan – 3 Feb 2008, Berlin, Germany      www.transmediale.de <http://www.transmediale.de>

—————————————————–
** ICE 2008: Interactive Content Exchange is a high-level conference dedicated to the business of content on interactive platforms.
ICE 2008 sessions will offer delegates an executive-level interactive exchange and big picture opportunities to explore IDEAS, MODELS and MARKETS.
MARCH 26 – 28, 2008, Toronto, Canada       www.ice08.com <http://www.ice08.com>
—————————————————–
** Digifest
WATER’S EDGE – CATASTROPHE, TRAUMA, POSSIBILITY
Taking place March 28 – 30 2008, digifest will explore the topic of WATER’S EDGE, focusing on artistic approaches and interpretations of the themes of crisis, prevention, relief, expectation, surprise, rebirth, emergency – and the emergence of new ideas. DX and participating partners will involve new media artists, filmmakers, videogame creators, designers, scientists and more, in investigations of such topics as “relief housing” and “drinking water”.
March 28 – 30, 2008, Toronto, Canada    www.dx.org/digifest/ <http://www.dx.org/digifest/>
—————————————————–
**Siggraph 2008: Call For Submissions
e•volve | i’välv | verb 1. To change to meet the needs of a dynamic environment.
We are soliciting theme-based work to address the greatest challenges and opportunities facing us both as a community and as a society. The common denominator in all accepted work will be the high quality that has always been the hallmark of the SIGGRAPH conference. A jury of leaders in research, arts, science, education, and entertainment will evaluate submissions based on the quality of the work and its importance to our community.
Because one of SIGGRAPH’s main missions is to encourage and promote the work of future generations in computer graphics and interactive techniques, we encourage submissions from students, as well as from the world’s leading thinkers, researchers, and artists.
The submission and review process emphasizes the work rather than presentation format. We have a single general submission form that allows submitters to describe their work once and propose that it be evaluated for presentation in several different formats. For example, a single submission can simultaneously propose an installation, a performance, and a talk.
The SIGGRAPH community is in a new phase of energetic evolution, and the conference is moving in a new and dynamic direction. However, we can’t do any of this without you! Let us explore the future together.
www.siggraph.org/s2008/submissions

—————————————————–
** Western Front Gallery, Vancouver
Western Front Gallery has an ongoing call for submission for media arts projects. The curator of the Media Arts Program selects the artists in residence, and produces collaborative projects. Artists who are interested in participating in projects or as solo Artists in Residence, may contact the curator at media@front.bc.ca <mailto:media@front.bc.ca> . Please e-mail first with a brief decription of your interests and proposed project.
front.bc.ca/mediaarts
—————————————————–
** open call : SUBOTRON artist in residence spring 2008 wanted <http://subotron.com/595-open-call-subotron-artist-in-residence-spring-2008-wanted/>
As you may know, as part of the air-program of MuseumsQuartier´s quartier21, SUBOTRON invites artists in residence to work here in vienna on a regular basis. they get a studio at the museumsquartier for free and money to cover expenses.
background infos on the quartier21 site here <http://quartier21.mqw.at/Artist-in-Residence/> .
deutsch hier <http://quartier21.mqw.at/kuenstlerstudios/> .

artists in residence so far :
- indie game designer JANUZ <http://subotron.com/293-sa-280106-praesentation-alien-landing-vienna/> (Munich)
- streetartist SPACE INVADER <http://subotron.com/235-subotron-artist-in-residence-space-invader/> (Paris) space-invaders.com <http://space-invaders.com/>
- character designer RYOSKUKE TEI <http://subotron.com/147-fresh-subotron-artist-in-residence-october-november/> (Tokio) furifuri.com <http://furifuri.com/>
- gameboy-sequencer innovator OLIVER WITTCHOW <http://subotron.com/446-subotron-nanoloop-social-meetings-musikprogramm-entwicklung-als-work-in-progress/>  (Hamburg) nanoloop.com <http://nanoloop.com/>
- gameculture videoblogger GAMEJEW <http://subotron.com/542-freitags-im-oktober-play-with-the-gamejew/> (Los Angeles) gamejew.com <http://gamejew.com/>

we are now looking for a female artist who suits this alignment.
topic :
games & gender

date of residency :
march & april 2008
requirements :
- concept of what you will be working on during your stay : fine arts / design / hard-soft-ware / theory / …
- cv
send to :
office@subotron.com <mailto:office@subotron.com>
deadline : 
friday 14. december 2007

we are looking forward to exciting ideas !